Great Things Going On Now
I would like to start the week off by thanking Kate Newmyer and our music students for the great performances they provided for our community at last week’s winter music concerts. I have been in Center long enough to remember when our instrumental program was floundering and I must say Kate has done a great job of building our program to the point where it is one of the best in the San Luis Valley. Quality arts programs can support high academic achievement and I have no doubt there is a logical coincidence that our music program has been emerging at the same time our academic performance has. They go hand in hand with each other.
A going away party for our most recent crew of Americorps workers was held last Wednesday and it amazes me how much impact a group of young men and women can have on a community in such a short time. We’ll miss the support the group brought to our instructional program and we look forward to our next crew's arrival in January!
Speaking of going away, we will be extremely sad to see Jess Hart, our Lindamood-Bell Site Coordinator, move on to her next job site. Fortunately Jess has expertly trained Melissa Garcia to continue the work she began at Haskin. At our BOE meeting last Tuesday Jess and Melissa reported on the reading growth achieved by Haskin students during summer instruction and this fall semester. The Board was very pleased to see the growth reported and we know it is coming on the heels of tremendous hard work and dedication by Haskin staff members and students. It is gratifying to have discovered a way to make a significant difference in teaching at risk kids how to read through our partnership with Lindamood-Bell. Because of the success of this process, the district has committed to keeping its relationship with Lindamood-Bell intact beyond the Haskin Turnaround process, and to finding ways to expand LB availability so EVERY child in Center can be served, as needed.
I also want to thank Carrie Zimmerman for expanding our focus on academics in Skoglund Middle School by infusing a History Fair competition into our program. It has been a long time since we had such a focus and, once again, I believe giving students the opportunity to compete in such endeavors increases their academic performance and awareness across everything they do.
Finally, I want to congratulate the Center High School Wrestling Team for their success at the Sargent Invitational last weekend! Our team won the tournament behind the coaching efforts of Brian Ullery and Carlos Valencia. Keep up the good work!
A going away party for our most recent crew of Americorps workers was held last Wednesday and it amazes me how much impact a group of young men and women can have on a community in such a short time. We’ll miss the support the group brought to our instructional program and we look forward to our next crew's arrival in January!
Speaking of going away, we will be extremely sad to see Jess Hart, our Lindamood-Bell Site Coordinator, move on to her next job site. Fortunately Jess has expertly trained Melissa Garcia to continue the work she began at Haskin. At our BOE meeting last Tuesday Jess and Melissa reported on the reading growth achieved by Haskin students during summer instruction and this fall semester. The Board was very pleased to see the growth reported and we know it is coming on the heels of tremendous hard work and dedication by Haskin staff members and students. It is gratifying to have discovered a way to make a significant difference in teaching at risk kids how to read through our partnership with Lindamood-Bell. Because of the success of this process, the district has committed to keeping its relationship with Lindamood-Bell intact beyond the Haskin Turnaround process, and to finding ways to expand LB availability so EVERY child in Center can be served, as needed.
I also want to thank Carrie Zimmerman for expanding our focus on academics in Skoglund Middle School by infusing a History Fair competition into our program. It has been a long time since we had such a focus and, once again, I believe giving students the opportunity to compete in such endeavors increases their academic performance and awareness across everything they do.
Finally, I want to congratulate the Center High School Wrestling Team for their success at the Sargent Invitational last weekend! Our team won the tournament behind the coaching efforts of Brian Ullery and Carlos Valencia. Keep up the good work!
The Past Week
On Monday the Haskin Elementary Building Leadership Team met to review progress being made on its student behavior action plan. While this was occurring Kevin Jones and some Skoglund Middle School-Center High School Building Leadership Team members were in Denver at the Colorado Department of Education building receiving a Center of Educational Excellence award. It takes three years of exceptional student growth to achieve this status. Center High School has received it three years in a row! This means the CHS staff and student body have been achieving exceptional student growth for the past five years in a row! CHS is one of only two high schools in the state to receive this award three years in a row, the other being Martin Luther King Early College in Denver.
It should also be mentioned that Centennial High School in San Luis and Moffat Middle School also received Centers of Excellence awards at this ceremony. Congratulations to our Valley neighbors on this achievement!
On Tuesday morning I met with the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council. At that time we discussed, among other items, the possible ramifications of the recent Lobato v Colorado decision. On Tuesday evening the District Accountability Committee held a “meeting of celebration” where each school reported about the great things going on. I’ll report on this content a little later. Tuesday ended with our regular monthly Board of Education meeting.
I drove to Denver on Wednesday for the monthly CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group meeting. The mood in the session was quite celebratory as we were all still on a high after the Lobato v Colorado decision was rendered. Discussion was fascinating, as always, with much of it centered on how the decision, despite the fact it will likely be appealed, can be leveraged during the upcoming legislative session.
I stayed in Denver overnight as on Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the first meeting of CDE’s new Rural Advisory Council as a representative from the San Luis Valley. The meeting focused on setting up general structures such as when, where, and how often we would be meeting. The major order of business was consideration of a CDE plan to possibly create a Rural Education Consultant position to provide support for rural districts throughout the state.
Friday was a busy day once again as we spent the morning in the Board Room conducting quality checks of middle-high teacher evaluations. We did the same with elementary teacher evaluations during the afternoon and squeezed in a noon administrator team meeting where we committed to beginning a new book study on “Teach Like a Champion.”
It should also be mentioned that Centennial High School in San Luis and Moffat Middle School also received Centers of Excellence awards at this ceremony. Congratulations to our Valley neighbors on this achievement!
On Tuesday morning I met with the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council. At that time we discussed, among other items, the possible ramifications of the recent Lobato v Colorado decision. On Tuesday evening the District Accountability Committee held a “meeting of celebration” where each school reported about the great things going on. I’ll report on this content a little later. Tuesday ended with our regular monthly Board of Education meeting.
I drove to Denver on Wednesday for the monthly CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group meeting. The mood in the session was quite celebratory as we were all still on a high after the Lobato v Colorado decision was rendered. Discussion was fascinating, as always, with much of it centered on how the decision, despite the fact it will likely be appealed, can be leveraged during the upcoming legislative session.
I stayed in Denver overnight as on Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the first meeting of CDE’s new Rural Advisory Council as a representative from the San Luis Valley. The meeting focused on setting up general structures such as when, where, and how often we would be meeting. The major order of business was consideration of a CDE plan to possibly create a Rural Education Consultant position to provide support for rural districts throughout the state.
Friday was a busy day once again as we spent the morning in the Board Room conducting quality checks of middle-high teacher evaluations. We did the same with elementary teacher evaluations during the afternoon and squeezed in a noon administrator team meeting where we committed to beginning a new book study on “Teach Like a Champion.”
Big Things We Are Working On
With the aftermath of the Lobato v Colorado lawsuit many of us are still trying to sort out the short and long term ramifications of the decision.
In delving more into the decision, the ruling clearly states that the plaintiffs provided “overwhelming evidence supporting the conclusion that with sufficient funding, school districts can meaningfully improve all students' achievement.”
In her decision Judge Rappaport said, “Unquestionably, additional financial resources appropriately applied can improve student achievement, which, under the standards-based system, is the ultimate measure of the success of a thorough and uniform system of public education.”
Rappaport went on to write, “It is not this court's function to determine at this time the amount necessary to provide adequate funding for public education. However, the court does find that public education is very significantly underfunded and that any legislative response of necessity must address the level of funding necessary to meet the mandate of the Education Clause and the standards-based system and should provide funding consistent with that standard.”
The case will very likely be appealed by the State. An excellent analysis of how this might occur was written in an EdNews Colorado report earlier this week. You can access it at this link: “A Legal Take on Lobato’s Future”
In the mean time much statewide reaction to the case has been voiced. Here are just a few examples of things that are being said:
“It may be too late for me, and it may be too late for my sister, but there are so many other students in the public education system.” Taylor Lobato, daughter of Anthony Lobato, lead plaintiffs on the lawsuit
“While we don't know the answers to many of the serious questions the ruling raises, we do know that the intensity and volume of the conversation on how the state funds its schools will be turned up for the foreseeable future. At the same time, the case will likely work its way to the state's highest court for the next stop on its remarkable journey.” Denver Post Editorial on Saturday, December 10
“It is...apparent that increased funding will be required.” Judge Sheila Rappaport
“The court clearly invited an appeal, and we believe an appeal is likely.” Mike Saccone, spokesman for Attorney General John Suthers
“It makes a statement about the necessity of adequate school funding.” State Senator Evie Hudak
“Wow. Wow. Wow. This ruling is extremely disappointing.” State Senator Keith King
“It’s not a Denver issue, it is a statewide issue.” Kathy Gebhardt, lead plaintiff attorney
“We’re still confronted with budget constrictions. It’s time to talk and take action and the action should benefit all children.” Colorado Springs D-11 Superintendent Nicholas Gledich
…and this Denver Post letter to the editor just appeared on-line Sunday morning:
Those who are knowledgeable about Colorado finances know that the state is eighth in per capita income and 48th in school funding. This appalling situation is made even worse by the unequal distribution of resources among schools. Denver District Judge Sheila Rappaport was correct in declaring the school finance system “significantly underfunded.”
It’s interesting that Attorney General John Suthers would argue that increased funding does not guarantee student success. By the same token, increased funding of his department does not guarantee success. However, in both venues, lack of resources makes successful achievement very difficult.
Students, parents, teachers — all should thank the Lobato family for bringing a lawsuit that can change the future of Colorado for the better.
Walter Heidenfelder, Denver
Construction News
While I was at Anchor Group in Denver on Wednesday Michael Lobato and Rich Brandt attended our weekly construction meeting, giving final approval to some color schemes for our new library.
The next major event for us will be a meeting with our Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment supplier, Contrax, this Thursday in the middle of the day. I am told Brent Jones from Contrax has already brought a custom-made teacher desk in for display and it is currently located in the Haskin Staff Development Room if you want to check it out.
The next major event for us will be a meeting with our Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment supplier, Contrax, this Thursday in the middle of the day. I am told Brent Jones from Contrax has already brought a custom-made teacher desk in for display and it is currently located in the Haskin Staff Development Room if you want to check it out.
Our Core Beliefs
Our fourth core belief in Center Schools sates, “There is NO excuse for poor quality instruction.”
This belief can mean many things. The aspect I am going to focus on this week is that, though it is not an exact science, we now have available to us a lot of evidence about what effective teachers actually do. In fact, these aspects of effective instruction have been incorporated into Colorado’s new Teacher Quality law.
Many of you already know that we in Center Schools have been doing our best to apply the new teacher quality standards and evaluation requirements set down in Senate Bill 191 passed in 2010. We are not required to evaluate teachers based on these standards until the 2012-13 school year but our philosophy is that teachers probably want to know right now how they stack up to the standards that will eventually determine whether or not they will be able to keep their job standing in the future.
Since we have these standards available to us, and since we believe research has shown these traits in teachers bring about effective student learning, we have been doing our best this year to evaluate our teachers based on these expectations.
While doing mid-year teacher evaluation quality checks, the district administrative team discovered many of our teachers who are, quite frankly, pretty darn good teachers and are doing the best job of instruction they have ever done, ended up scoring “Ineffective” in some areas they were never before judged on. In making final scoring decisions based on data we have available, and clear expectations about what is deemed as “Effective” performance, we made the decision to do our best to honestly communicate to staff members just where they stand.
Our greatest fear, of course, is that the morale could be damaged because of their being scored harshly on this new system of evaluation. Our greatest hope is that when administrators share mid year evaluations this week, teachers will still understand the actual great work they are doing and yet, will become acutely aware of areas they still need to grow in to become an “Effective” teacher across the board based on current expectations.
Thus, one aspect of our belief that “there is NO excuse for poor quality instruction” includes the need to have administrators who have the courage to report honestly to teachers where they measure in relation to the teaching standards. Our teachers will never get better if they are not made aware of what it will take to become more effective.
This belief can mean many things. The aspect I am going to focus on this week is that, though it is not an exact science, we now have available to us a lot of evidence about what effective teachers actually do. In fact, these aspects of effective instruction have been incorporated into Colorado’s new Teacher Quality law.
Many of you already know that we in Center Schools have been doing our best to apply the new teacher quality standards and evaluation requirements set down in Senate Bill 191 passed in 2010. We are not required to evaluate teachers based on these standards until the 2012-13 school year but our philosophy is that teachers probably want to know right now how they stack up to the standards that will eventually determine whether or not they will be able to keep their job standing in the future.
Since we have these standards available to us, and since we believe research has shown these traits in teachers bring about effective student learning, we have been doing our best this year to evaluate our teachers based on these expectations.
While doing mid-year teacher evaluation quality checks, the district administrative team discovered many of our teachers who are, quite frankly, pretty darn good teachers and are doing the best job of instruction they have ever done, ended up scoring “Ineffective” in some areas they were never before judged on. In making final scoring decisions based on data we have available, and clear expectations about what is deemed as “Effective” performance, we made the decision to do our best to honestly communicate to staff members just where they stand.
Our greatest fear, of course, is that the morale could be damaged because of their being scored harshly on this new system of evaluation. Our greatest hope is that when administrators share mid year evaluations this week, teachers will still understand the actual great work they are doing and yet, will become acutely aware of areas they still need to grow in to become an “Effective” teacher across the board based on current expectations.
Thus, one aspect of our belief that “there is NO excuse for poor quality instruction” includes the need to have administrators who have the courage to report honestly to teachers where they measure in relation to the teaching standards. Our teachers will never get better if they are not made aware of what it will take to become more effective.
The Week Ahead
The early part of this week is still pretty open for me. On Monday I have an ARC-Virtual Academy PLC scheduled at Noon and on Tuesday I will attend a Building Trades Advisory Committee meeting.
I am off to Denver again on Wednesday for Colorado School Safety Resource Center Executive Director Interviews.
Thursday, a staff workday, is extremely busy with an all staff breakfast in the morning, the Center Christmas Parade at mid-day, along with a furniture, fixtures and equipment purchase meeting. Building tours will be offered n the middle of the day and then we have a staff holiday gathering at 3 PM in Alamosa.
I am off to Denver again on Wednesday for Colorado School Safety Resource Center Executive Director Interviews.
Thursday, a staff workday, is extremely busy with an all staff breakfast in the morning, the Center Christmas Parade at mid-day, along with a furniture, fixtures and equipment purchase meeting. Building tours will be offered n the middle of the day and then we have a staff holiday gathering at 3 PM in Alamosa.
George’s Excellent Adventure
With my many trips to the downtown Denver area in recent years I have become pretty expert at finding affordable parking for my tasks. Unfortunately I experienced extreme parking tragedy and angst on Wednesday when I attended the CEA, CASE, CASB anchor group meeting. Because of a big event going on at the CEA building on Colfax, I had to proceed to the parking lot directly to the East of the Capitol building ($6.00 for the whole day; tough to beat in that neighborhood). When I pulled into a space right next to a snow bank I glanced up and saw the number 41 clearly posted in my parking area and, thus, proceeded to pay for this slot at the purchase station.
Upon returning to the lot after the Anchor Group meeting I was greeted by not one, but two tickets on my windshield, each for $40. The ticket said I had not paid for my space in advance (space 40 apparently, not 41) and that I was improperly parked (in space 41 apparently, not space 40).
If, in fact, the space next to me actually was space 41 there would have been no way to park in it since it was being occupied by a snow bank at the time. In addition to this, the space 41 tag was in a whole different space (space 40 I guess). At any rate I am including a picture outlining my dilemma and I intend to send it along with a copy of my receipt and a letter asking the parking company to reimburse me for my time, copies and stamp by sending me a free parking pass.
I know you are all thinking “good luck with that!”
Upon returning to the lot after the Anchor Group meeting I was greeted by not one, but two tickets on my windshield, each for $40. The ticket said I had not paid for my space in advance (space 40 apparently, not 41) and that I was improperly parked (in space 41 apparently, not space 40).
If, in fact, the space next to me actually was space 41 there would have been no way to park in it since it was being occupied by a snow bank at the time. In addition to this, the space 41 tag was in a whole different space (space 40 I guess). At any rate I am including a picture outlining my dilemma and I intend to send it along with a copy of my receipt and a letter asking the parking company to reimburse me for my time, copies and stamp by sending me a free parking pass.
I know you are all thinking “good luck with that!”
Extra Points
At our District Accountability meeting on Tuesday we spent our time celebrating the many great things going on in the district.
Haskin Elementary School staff members reported the success they are seeing in mid year Lindamood-Bell, DIBELS and NWEA testing showing many of our students progressing form below to at grade level performance. In addition, much appreciation was expressed regarding the progress being made regarding student behavior in the hallways, classrooms and on the playground.
Skoglund Middle School staff members reported the success they are experiencing with student academic work, including the recent History Fair competition, and their focus on quarterly students assessments, especially in writing. Carrie Zimmerman also expressed excitement about how targeted intervention classes in math and reading are starting to benefit students.
Center High School is certainly proud of achieving Center of Excellence in Education status again and Mr. Jones said it is because of the great staff he has and that it is only getting better with this year’s personnel additions.
Joy Werner reported how pleased she is with the constant attention Center Virtual Academy students have been receiving from Chris Vance, and how Academic Recovery Center students are progressing in credit acquisition at a much faster pace than during the first quarter.
I took a moment during my celebration time to point out the pride I feel when the reaction I receive from people around the state that find out I’m from Center is so positive. Our Board members even expressed this about their recent experience at CASB. This, no doubt, somewhat stems form our role in the Lobato v Colorado lawsuit. However, Center High School’s recent awards, Kevin Jones’ being identified as a national principal leader by the Gates Foundation, Lori Cooper being named to a Commissioner’s Committee on Turnaround Schools, my being named to the CDE Rural Education Council, and many of our administrators being asked to support the implementation of new standards and quality instruction in neighboring districts has provided evidence that we are being viewed in Center as a district that is on the move in a positive direction. In addition to all this, we simply have the most talented and hardest working staff in education. We all spend a ton of time thinking critically about what we are doing and very rarely take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished.
We ended the session by presenting a thank you card signed by evry Superintendent in the San Luis Valley to the family of Denise and Anthony Lobato for their leadership role in the lawsuit.
Thanks to all of you we have accomplished a lot here in Center, and children all over the state can be thankful for that!
Thanks for listening again and have a great week.
George
Haskin Elementary School staff members reported the success they are seeing in mid year Lindamood-Bell, DIBELS and NWEA testing showing many of our students progressing form below to at grade level performance. In addition, much appreciation was expressed regarding the progress being made regarding student behavior in the hallways, classrooms and on the playground.
Skoglund Middle School staff members reported the success they are experiencing with student academic work, including the recent History Fair competition, and their focus on quarterly students assessments, especially in writing. Carrie Zimmerman also expressed excitement about how targeted intervention classes in math and reading are starting to benefit students.
Center High School is certainly proud of achieving Center of Excellence in Education status again and Mr. Jones said it is because of the great staff he has and that it is only getting better with this year’s personnel additions.
Joy Werner reported how pleased she is with the constant attention Center Virtual Academy students have been receiving from Chris Vance, and how Academic Recovery Center students are progressing in credit acquisition at a much faster pace than during the first quarter.
I took a moment during my celebration time to point out the pride I feel when the reaction I receive from people around the state that find out I’m from Center is so positive. Our Board members even expressed this about their recent experience at CASB. This, no doubt, somewhat stems form our role in the Lobato v Colorado lawsuit. However, Center High School’s recent awards, Kevin Jones’ being identified as a national principal leader by the Gates Foundation, Lori Cooper being named to a Commissioner’s Committee on Turnaround Schools, my being named to the CDE Rural Education Council, and many of our administrators being asked to support the implementation of new standards and quality instruction in neighboring districts has provided evidence that we are being viewed in Center as a district that is on the move in a positive direction. In addition to all this, we simply have the most talented and hardest working staff in education. We all spend a ton of time thinking critically about what we are doing and very rarely take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished.
We ended the session by presenting a thank you card signed by evry Superintendent in the San Luis Valley to the family of Denise and Anthony Lobato for their leadership role in the lawsuit.
Thanks to all of you we have accomplished a lot here in Center, and children all over the state can be thankful for that!
Thanks for listening again and have a great week.
George